investment
gains (losses)
Deferred taxes:
Net unrealized gains on investment securities
Net unrealized gains on derivatives
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
Accrued commission and general expenses
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting
The accounting for the temporary differences related to investment in foreign subsidiaries recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at adoption of the TCJA were provisional. Therefore, additional reclassification adjustments may be recorded in fourth quarter of 2018 as tax effects of the TCJA on related temporary differences are finalized. However, no reclassification adjustments were recorded during the second or third quarters of 2018. Other than those effects related to the TCJA, our policy is to release stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) using the portfolio approach for items related to investments and derivatives, and upon disposition of a subsidiary for items related to outside basis differences.
On January 1, 2018, we early adopted new accounting guidance related to the hedge accounting model. The new guidance amends the hedge accounting model to enable entities to better portray the economics of their derivative risk management activities in the financial statements and enhance the transparency and understandability of hedge results. In certain situations, the amendments also simplify the application of hedge accounting and removed the requirements to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. We adopted this new accounting using the modified retrospective method and recognized a gain of $2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding decrease to retained earnings at adoption. This gain was the cumulative amount of hedge ineffectiveness related to active hedges that was previously included in earnings.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance that clarifies when to account for a change to share-based compensation as a modification. The new guidance requires modification accounting only if there are changes to the fair value, vesting conditions or classification as a liability or equity of the share-based compensation. We adopted this new accounting guidance prospectively and therefore, the guidance did not have any impact at adoption.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance that clarifies the scope and accounting for gains and losses from the derecognition of nonfinancial assets or an in substance nonfinancial asset that is not a business and accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The new guidance clarifies when transferring ownership interests in a consolidated subsidiary holding nonfinancial assets is within scope. It also states that the reporting entity should identify each distinct nonfinancial asset and derecognize when a counterparty obtains control. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective method, which had no impact on our consolidated financial statements at adoption.
On January 1, 2018, we early adopted new accounting guidance simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance states goodwill impairment is equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the reporting unit up to the amount of recorded goodwill. We adopted this new accounting guidance prospectively and will apply it to our 2018 goodwill impairment test.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance related to the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. The new guidance requires that changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be shown in the statements of cash flows and requires additional disclosures related to restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this new accounting guidance retrospectively and modified the line item descriptions on our consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows in our consolidated financial statements. The other impacts from this new accounting guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance related to the income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The new guidance states that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective method, which did not have any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures at adoption.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance related to the classification of certain cash payments and cash receipts on our statement of cash flows. The guidance reduces diversity in practice related to eight specific cash flow issues. We adopted this new accounting guidance retrospectively. We will reclassify a $20 million make-whole premium that was incurred in the first quarter of 2016 previously included in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows, within the line item “other liabilities, policy and contract claims and other policy-related balances” to the financing activities section within the line item “repayment and repurchase of long-term debt” in our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements filed on Form 10-K. The reclassification will result in an increase in net cash used by financing activities and an increase in net cash from operating activities. The remaining specific cash flow issues did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. Changes to financial instruments accounting primarily affects equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. Under the new guidance, equity investments with readily determinable fair value, except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, are measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new guidance also clarifies that the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities should be evaluated in combination with other deferred tax assets. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective method and reclassified, after adjustments for deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”) and other intangible amortization and certain benefit reserves, taxes and noncontrolling interests, $25 million of gains related to equity securities from accumulated other comprehensive income and $17 million of gains related to limited partnerships previously recorded at cost to cumulative effect of change in accounting within retained earnings.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The key principle of the new guidance is that entities should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. Insurance contracts are specifically excluded from this new guidance. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“the FASB”) has clarified the scope that all of our insurance contracts, including mortgage insurance and investment contracts are excluded from the scope of this new guidance. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective method, which did not have any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements at adoption.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that significantly changes the recognition and measurement of long-duration insurance contracts and expands disclosure requirements, which impacts our life insurance DAC and liabilities. In accordance with the guidance, the more significant changes include:
• | assumptions will no longer be locked-in at contract inception and all cash flow assumptions used to estimate the liability for future policy benefits will be reviewed at least annually in the same period each year or more frequently if actual experience indicates a change is required; |
• | changes in cash flow assumptions (except the discount rate) will be recorded in net income (loss) using a retrospective approach with a cumulative catch-up adjustment by recalculating the net premium ratio (which will be capped at 100%) using actual historical and updated future cash flow assumptions; |
• | the discount rate used to determine the liability for future policy benefits will be a current upper-medium grade (low credit risk) fixed-income instrument yield, which is generally interpreted to mean a single-A rated bond rate for the same duration, and is required to be reviewed quarterly, with changes in the discount rate recorded in other comprehensive income (loss); |
• | the provision for adverse deviation and the premium deficiency test will be eliminated; |
• | market risk benefits associated with deposit-type contracts will be measured at fair value with changes recorded in net income (loss); |
• | the amortization method for DAC will generally be on a straight-line basis over the expected contract term; and |
• | disclosures will be greatly expanded to include significant assumptions and product liability rollforwards. |
The guidance is currently effective for us on January 1, 2021 using the modified retrospective method, with early adoption permitted. We are in process of evaluating the new guidance and the impact it will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans as part of its disclosure framework project. The guidance adds, eliminates and modifies certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance is currently effective for us on January 1, 2020 using the retrospective method, with early adoption permitted. We do not expect any significant impact from this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to fair value disclosure requirements as part of its disclosure framework project. The guidance adds, eliminates and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance includes new disclosure requirements related to the change in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted-average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is currently effective for us on January 1, 2020 using the prospective method for certain disclosures and the retrospective method for all other disclosures. Early adoption of either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify the requirements is permitted. We are in process of evaluating the impact the guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In June 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to accounting for nonemployee share-based payments. The guidance aligns the measurement and classification of share-based payments to nonemployees issued in exchange for goods or services with the guidance for share-based payments to employees, with certain exceptions. The guidance is currently effective for us on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, with early adoption permitted. This guidance is consistent with our previous accounting practices and, accordingly, we do not expect any impact from this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance shortening the amortization period of certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The guidance requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. This change does not apply to securities held at a discount. The guidance is currently effective for us on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method, with early adoption permitted. While we are still evaluating the full impact, at this time we do not expect any significant impact from this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to accounting for credit losses on financial instruments. The guidance requires that entities recognize an allowance equal to its estimate of lifetime expected credit losses and applies to most debt instruments not measured at fair value, which would primarily include our commercial mortgage loans and reinsurance receivables. The new guidance retains most of the existing impairment guidance for available-for-sale debt securities but amends the presentation of credit losses to be presented as an allowance as opposed to a write-down and permits the reversal of credit losses when reassessing changes in the credit losses each reporting period. The new guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted beginning January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, the modified retrospective method will be used and a cumulative effect adjustment in retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption will be recorded. We are in process of evaluating the impact the guidance may have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new guidance generally requires lessees to recognize both a right-to-use asset and a corresponding liability on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective transition approach is required as of the earliest period presented. Amendments to the guidance also allow an optional transition method practical expedient, which permits entities to apply the new lease standard using the modified retrospective transition approach at the date of adoption. Certain other practical expedients are available, which we are in the process of evaluating. We have identified our significant leases by asset type that will be impacted by the new guidance and begun implementation of a new software platform to facilitate compliance with the new guidance. Upon adoption, we expect to apply the optional transition method and record a right-of-use asset and liability on our balance sheet related to existing operating leases. While we are still evaluating the full impact, at this time we do not expect a significant impact from this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and we are in process of evaluating the impact to our disclosures.